At crucial Congress meet, Ashok Gehlot may step down as Rajasthan CM: Sources
Ashok Gehlot might step down as Rajasthan chief minister before filing nominations for the Congress presidential poll, said sources.
By Supriya Bhardwaj, Rajdeep Sardesai: Ashok Gehlot might step down as Rajasthan chief minister before filing nominations for the Congress presidential poll, sources told India Today.
The Congress is set to hold a meeting of its legislature party in Rajasthan at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's Jaipur residence at 7 pm today. According to sources, the meeting is crucial due to speculations of a change in state guard after CM Gehlot’s announcement to contest the Congress presidential poll.
ALSO READ | Congress leaders back Ashok Gehlot for party chief as he ‘supports’ Nehru-Gandhi family
Top Congress sources to India Today that the Rajasthan Congress Legislative Party (CLP) is likely to authorise party president Sonia Gandhi to decide on the new CLP leader.
According to sources, Gehlot remains opposed to Sachin Pilot as CM and wants MLAs to have their say.
The sources, however, said Pilot has been assured support from the Gandhi family for now.
Gehlot wants the decision on Rajasthan CM to be taken only after he has filed the nomination, they said.
ALSO READ | Rajasthan to get new CM? Cong MLAs to meet at Gehlot's residence today
With Congress leader Rahul Gandhi insisting on implementing the 'one man-one post' principle in the party, several ministers in the Rajasthan government have advocated for Ashok Gehlot to be retained as both the chief minister and the party's national president.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has appointed Mallikarjun Kharge as an observer along with general secretary in-charge Rajasthan Ajay Maken. They will attend the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, AICC general secretary organisation KC Venugopal said.
CONGRESS PRESIDENTIAL POLL
As per the schedule for the election of Congress President, the process of filing nomination papers will be from September 24 to 30. The date of scrutiny of the nomination papers is October 1, while the last date of withdrawal of nominations is October 8. The election, if there is more than one candidate, will take place on October 17. The counting of votes and the declaration of results will be on October 19.
